Slit sleeve for preventing displacement in a catheter assembly

ABSTRACT

An intravenous catheter assembly is constructed with a flexible plastic catheter for introduction into a body member and a flexible plastic tubing secured coaxially to the proximal end thereof by a wing section. An introducer needle extends completely through the coaxially aligned lumens of the catheter and tubing and a removable plastic sleeve having a longitudinal slit therein is positioned over the tubing between the wing section and the tubing hub to prevent displacement of the wing section toward the hub during the catheter introduction procedure.

U United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,769,975 Nimoy et al. 1 1 Nov. 6, 1973 [54] SLiT SLEEVE FOR PREVENTING 1,494,973 5/1924 Pittcnger 128/221 DISPLACEMENT 1N A'CATHETER FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS ASSEMBLY 70,711 l/l970- East Germany 128/2144 [75] Inventors: Melvin Nim0y,East Brunswick,N.J.; 136,008 5/1960 U.S.S.R 128/221 Alon P. Winnie, Wilmette, 111. OTHER PUBLICATIONS Assigneei Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, Brooks, Modification of Polyethylene Catheter for Intravenous Infusions," International Abstracts of Sur- 22 Filed: Nov. 26, 1971 gery; 1958 P' PP No; 202,192 Primary ExaminerRichard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner.l. C. McGowan 52 us. 01. 128/214.4, 128/348 W- Hulen [51] Int. Cl. A6lm 5/14, A61m 25/00 1 [58] Field of Search 128/214.4, 221, 348, ABSTRACT 214 R An intravenous catheter assembly is constructed with a flexible plastic catheter for introduction into a body- References Cited member and a flexible plastic tubing secured coaxially UNITED STATES PATENTS to the proximal end thereof by a wing section. An intro- 3,500,828 3 1970 Podhora 128/214.4 dlfcer needle extends mple ely through the coaxially 3397.030 [/1967 czomy at al, 23 4 aligned lumens of the catheter and tubing and a-remov- 2,725,058 11/1955 Rathkey 128/221 able plastic sleeve having a longitudinal slit therein is 3,064,648 11/1962 Bujan.....'... 128/221 UX positioned over the tubing between the wing section 3,454,006 7/1969 Langdon I28/214.4 and the tubing hub to prevent displacement of the wing 132171795 6970 P 4 4 D83/12 section toward the hub during the catheter introduc- 3,589,361 6/1971 Loper l28/2l4.4 tion procedure 2,389,355 11/1945 Goland et al. 128/221 X 2,893,389 7/1959 Nesset 128/221 X 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures SE11 SLEEVE EUR PREVENTING DISPLACEMENT TN A CATHETER ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to intravenous catheter assemblies and, more particularly, to a plastic intravenous catheter having a flexible plastic tubing secured to the proximal end thereof for assisting in the connection of the catheter assembly to an administration set. The invention is further directed to a stabilizing support means for preventing displacement of the catheter during the introduction procedure.

It has long been the practice in the administration of fluids to the body to utilize a metal needle having a flexible plastic tubing secured to the proximal end thereof. It is also known to utilize a gripping means, such as a wing section, in conjunction with the metal needle to assist in the introduction of the needle into a vein. Such an intravenous needle assembly is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,064,648. This type of needle assembly is effective for the administration of fluids into a vein, however, it is considered to be a serious problem to permit such a metal needle to dwell within a veinfor an extended period of time. The extremely sharp point on the needle frequently causes damage-to the vein wall and excess movement of the body member can actually cause the needle point to penetrate the vein and create serious problems.

Plastic catheters having gripping means for aiding'in the insertion of the catheter-into a vein have also been used, however, it' has previously been impossible to provide such a device having a flexible plastic tubing permanently secured coaxial with the proximal end thereof. This is true because it is necessary to provide an introducer needle in combination with the plastic catheter to effect the introduction of the catheter into the vein. Without such an introducer needle, it would be impossible to penetrate the skin and the vein wall with the flexible catheter material.

, SUMMARY or Tl-IE lNVENTION The present invention overcomes the foregoing disadvantages by providing a plastic catheter having a flexible plastic tubing secured to the proximal end thereof by a gripping means in the form of a wing section. The catheter assembly is constructed to receive an introducer needle that extends completely through the lumens ofthe catheter and tubing so that it maybe appropriately withdrawn after the catheter has been introduced into a body member. By thus removing the introducer needle, it is possible to have a unitary construction which includes only the catheter and tubing. in order to prevent displacement of the catheter toward the hub of the plastic-tubing during the introduction procedure, a stabilizing support member has been provided which prevents the tubing from collapsing during the introduction procedure.

lBRlEF DESCRIPTIONOF TI-lE DRAWING The invention will be particularly described with reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention when considered together with the attached drawing, in which:

F116. 1 is a perspective view of the intravenous catheter assembly of the present invention;

F16. 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the intravenous catheter assembly shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred embodiment of the intravenous catheter assembly of this invention is shown generally at in FIG. 1. The primary component of the assembly comprises a flexible plastic catheter 11 and a flexible plastic tubing 12. Catheter 11 and tubing 12 are secured in coaxial alignment by a grippingmeans which is illustrated in the preferred embodiment as a wing section 13. Wing section 13 is preferably constructed with a fairly rigid plastic tubular member 14 into which the proximal end of catheter 11 and the distal end of tubing 12 are secured, as by epoxy or some other suitable adhesive. Wing section 13 also has a pair'of wings 15 and 16 which are preferably formed from relatively flexible plastic material so that they may be deformed upwardly in a coplanar position for aiding in the insertion of the catheter into a body member and subsequently folded downwardly into the position shown in FIG. 1 for taping to the skin of the body member in a A well known manner.

Although the material of which catheter 11 is constructed is not critical, it is preferred that the catheter be made of a semiflexible material such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene or polytetrafluoroethylene. Also, it is preferred that catheter 11 have a beveled distal end as shown at 19 in FIG. 1 to facilitate the penetration of the body member.

The material utilized in the construction of tubing 12 is also not critical, however, it is preferred that this material be relatively flexible and soft so that the tubing can be easily manipulated for attachment of the fittings of an administration set or other suitable fluid infusion device. The preferred material usuable in this invention for tubing 12 is soft polyvinyl chloride. A standard metal or plastic hub 20 is formed integral with the proximal end of tubing 12 to receive the hub of an introducer needle in a manner to be described hereinbelow and to subsequently provide a fitting for the administra' tion set.

. Referring now particularly to FIG. 2, an introducer needle 21 is shown in position within the lumens of catheter 11 and tubing 12 extending completely therethrough from hub 20 to beyond the distal end of catheter 1 1. introducer needle 21 is equipped with an appropriate point 22 for penetrating the skin of a patient and for providing a means for introducing catheter 11 into the body member of the patient. Needle 21 is provided with a standard luer type hub 23 which cooperates with luer hub 20 during the introduction of the catheter assembly into the appropriate body member.

In the procedure for introducing catheter 11 into a body member, the catheter assembly 10 is fully assembled as illustrated in FIG. 2. Introducer needle 21 is positioned completely through the lumens of catheter 11 and tubing 12, and hub 23 is arranged within hub 20 to secure the assembly together. In order to perform the venipuncture, the nurse or doctor manipulates wings 15 and 16 into an upright, coplanar position in contact with one another and inserts catheter 11 with needle point 22 extending beyond the distal end thereof into a vein or other body member. During this operation, it

has been found that the leading end 19 of catheter 11 has a tendency to resist entry into the vein and, therefore, has a tendency to be displaced rearwardly toward hub 20. Since the flexible plastic tubing 12 is relatively soft and pliable, it has a tendency to become deformed and permit the aforementioned displacement of catheter 11. This is an undesirable condition and, therefore, stabilizing support means have been provided to alleviate this condition.

The preferred stabilizing support means usable with this invention is illustrated in the drawing in the form of a rigid plastic sleeve 25. Sleeve 25 is substantially cylindrical and is equipped with a longitudinally extending slit 26 which permits the removal of sleeve 25 after the venipuncture has been accomplished and the needle 21 has been removed from the catheter assembly.

It will, thus, be apparent that the entire catheter assembly may be provided commercially in the completely assembled condition illustrated in FIG. 2. After the catheter assembly has been secured into position within a vein and wings 15 and 16 have been appropriately flexible tubing secured proximally thereof. The introduction of the catheter is facilitated by a stabilizing support means which prevents the longitudinal displacement of the catheter relative to an introducer needle during the venipuncture procedure.

What is claimed is:

1. An intravenous catheter assembly, comprising: a flexible plastic catheter having a lumen extending therethrough; a flexible plastic tubing having a lumen extending therethrough in alignment with the lumen in said catheter; gripping means connected to the proximal end of said catheter and to the distal end of said tubing; a hub secured to the proximal end of said tubing; an introducer needle extending completely through said lumens from said hub to beyond the distal end of said catheter; and removable rigid support means disposed between said hub and said gripping means for positively preventing displacement of said gripping means toward said hub during the introduction of said needle and catheter into a patient.

2. The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein said support means is a rigid removable sleeve that extends over said tubing from said hub to said gripping means.

3. The catheter assembly of claim 2, wherein said sleeve is substantially cylindrical with a slit extending longitudinally thereof.

4. The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein said gripping means is a wing section. 

1. An intravenous catheter assembly, comprising: a flexible plastic catheter having a lumen extending therethrough; a flexible plastic tubing having a lumen extending therethrough in alignment with the lumen in said catheter; gripping means connected to the proximal end of said catheter and to the distal end of said tubing; a hub secured to the proximal end of said tubing; an introducer needle extending completely through said lumens from said hub to beyond the distal end of said catheter; and removable rigid support means disposed between said hub and said gripping means for positively preventing displacement of said gripping means toward said hub during the introduction of said needle and catheter into a patient.
 2. The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein said support means is a rigid removable sleeve that extends over said tubing from said hub to said gripping means.
 3. The catheter assembly of claim 2, wherein said sleeve is substantially cylindrical with a slit extending longitudinally thereof.
 4. The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein said gripping means is a wing section. 